When Seth awoke he first saw Warren's sparse whiskers over his face. Seth coughed, and Warren looked down and his eyes opened wide, "Hey! Look who's decided to join us!" He grinned down at Seth and winked, "You had us worried for a while there, but you came back alright. Nestled in Bracken's arms like a princess."

Seth's face reddened and he sat up quickly, "Hey, that has nothing to do with anything, okay? Bracken was just returning the favor." Warren chuckled, but was then used as a springboard as Mi'aiq meowed and leaped onto Seth's chest.

"Mi'aiq is sorry for making you use so much power." The cat rubbed his face against Seth's and licked his hair. The cat then curled up on Seth's lap and lie still. Warren left the room with a knowing smile to get one of their companions.

Petting Mi'aiq seemed both nostalgic and comforting to Seth, as if he had stroked this black fur before he even knew Mi'aiq. Then he remembered the name that Mi'aiq had called him before, "Mi'aiq?" The cat opened one eye to look at him. "Who was that Shadow-charmer you mentioned before?"

Mi'aiq stretched and replied, "His name was Avitus. He was… my friend, my companion, and my master."

There was a pause and Seth quietly let another thought of his slip past his lips, "Have you and I met before?"

Mi'aiq perked up, then settled back down after a moment of thought, "Maybe we have, maybe we haven't. Who can say? Cats wander everywhere, I am no different."

Seth felt both content and empty with this answer, before he could ask anything else, however, the door opened and Bracken came through.

"So, you're awake." He said, dragging a hotel chair closer and sitting down, "Do you feel any better?"

Seth nodded and shifted uncomfortably, "Did you carry me to the hotel?"

"Yes," Bracken recalled, "We left the art museum and ran into Warren and Vanessa seconds later, they were going back in to look for you after the museum opened again. They led us to their hotel room, and you have been out cold all this time."

Seth rubbed sleep from his eyes and blinked, Bracken frowned a little, noticing the blood red had not faded from his eyes. "How long have I been asleep?" Seth asked, rubbing Mi'aiq behind his ears, making him purr fiercely.

Bracken blew air out heavily, "Two days."

Seth choked a little at Bracken's words, "Two days?!" He curled his back a little; he had been asleep for so long? Had they all been taking care of him? "Thanks," He mumbled.

Bracken smiled and ruffled Seth's hair, "No problem," He leaned forward and spoke quieter, "I heard you carried me out of the other dimension," He took Seth's hand a put a small box in it; "I should be thanking you."

Seth looked down at the box, a cute ribbon was tied on top in a bow; it felt strange for Bracken to give him something like this. Bracken chuckled and pointed to the bow, "Your sister decorated the box because she said I didn't know what I was doing."

Seth cracked a smile and pulled on the ribbon and opened the box. He looked at the object and a blush started to spread all over his face, "I think you gave me the wrong present, this must be for Kendra." Bracken shook his head and took the ring out of the box.

"No, I had it made for you," Bracken took Seth's hand again and slipped the ring on Seth's index finger, "Vanessa and Warren had an old contact who was a jeweler. He made this with enchanted metal. It should make your eyes appear normal and suppress your powers a little."

Seth relaxed and looked down at the ring; it was silver with the image of unicorns running around the band. "Thanks again." He said quietly. He twisted the ring on his finger. "Hey, Bracken?" The unicorn looked up from the ring at him, "How are things going with you and Kendra?" Seth couldn't be sure, but he thought they might've had a fight before they had left for the Singing Sisters.

Bracken shifted his weight and looked directly at Seth, "What do you mean?"

Seth shrugged, "I was just wondering if you two had a fight or something."

Bracken looked downcast for a second before biting his lip, "I don't know. I might have done something… Maybe it is my fault that she's with that demon low-life."

Seth grimaced, "She's with Gavin?"

Bracken nodded, "Yes, I left them downstairs together. I do not trust him completely, and you shouldn't either."

"Don't worry, I think he should go right back in the quiet box. He can't be allowed to cause trouble."

Bracken's eyes widened, "That's an idea. I'll ask your grandparents to put him in the one in the dungeon."

Seth's eyes drifted to his backpack, "What about the horn and the Singing sisters?"

Bracken sighed and put his hand on Seth's shoulder, "I'm sorry, but I must accompany Kendra and Navarog back to Fablehaven. Warren and Vanessa will be with you to see the Singing Sisters. Besides," Bracken hugged Seth, "I know you could do it all by yourself, you don't need my help."

Seth pushed him away good-naturedly and laughed, "You have no idea how much I need you around!"

Bracken laughed along, but he felt more than light-hearted meaning behind those words.

Seth saw Bracken's soul let out a wisp of darkness; secretly he slipped off his ring and cut the cord. Bracken's eyes went blank for a moment, and then cleared after Seth put his ring back on.

"What were we laughing about?" Bracken asked, as if the has forgotten the whole conversation.

Seth smiled sadly, "I don't remember."